Returning from a business trip I just took, I was able to catch an in-movie flight. Anymore these seem to be the only way I watch anything new that comes out on video, and on this flight I was able to watch “Evan Almighty”. I have to say I really enjoyed the movie – and it made some interesting points that I thought would be worth noting.
First, there’s a point where everyone thinks the main character, Evan, is crazy, and so his wife ends up leaving for a period of time, and taking their three sons with her. As she’s drowning her sorrows in a plate of French fries at a local pub, God appears in the form of a waiter. She says that her husband wanted to change the world, wanted their family to grow closer, and instead all he did was start ranting about some sort of ark and a flood.
In this scene, God makes an interesting point. He asks “When somebody prays for courage – do you think God gives them courage? Or does he present a situation where they can be courageous? When somebody prays to be closer as a family, does God give them lots of fuzzy feelings for each other, or does he present them with an opportunity to become closer as a family?”
What a fascinating point. You never really think of it that way…but I have this feeling that it’s right on. (that will have to be another blog)
Throughout the whole movie, the main character, Evan, does a little victory dance whenever something goes right. At the end of the movie, he sees God standing off in a field as he’s taking his family on a hike, and Evan walks over to talk with him. The two of them discuss what’s happened, Evan talks about how God knew what was going to happen all along, and how his family was saved from a flood, is now much closer, he doesn’t have all that facial hair anymore, and they own a dog. Life is good .
God smiles, and then says – ‘C’mon Evan, do the dance.’
And Evan dances his silly little dance. And God joins in with him.
And in that moment I had this epiphany. I could SEE God dancing with me over my little victories too.
The God I grew up with didn’t dance. He wasn’t joyful. He was stern, a savior, just. Merciful, yes. But a God I could picture dancing with me in moments of pure celebration? No.
And I realized that I was really making progress on this journey when I could see God dancing with me over our all the little things that make my life OK. A great husband, a new house, 2 really good jobs, my beautiful garden with its ridiculously tall cosmos (seriously – like 15 feet high)….all of that. I could hear Him say, ‘C’mon Christa, do the dance. Life is good’.
And He joined me in it.
First, there’s a point where everyone thinks the main character, Evan, is crazy, and so his wife ends up leaving for a period of time, and taking their three sons with her. As she’s drowning her sorrows in a plate of French fries at a local pub, God appears in the form of a waiter. She says that her husband wanted to change the world, wanted their family to grow closer, and instead all he did was start ranting about some sort of ark and a flood.
In this scene, God makes an interesting point. He asks “When somebody prays for courage – do you think God gives them courage? Or does he present a situation where they can be courageous? When somebody prays to be closer as a family, does God give them lots of fuzzy feelings for each other, or does he present them with an opportunity to become closer as a family?”
What a fascinating point. You never really think of it that way…but I have this feeling that it’s right on. (that will have to be another blog)
Throughout the whole movie, the main character, Evan, does a little victory dance whenever something goes right. At the end of the movie, he sees God standing off in a field as he’s taking his family on a hike, and Evan walks over to talk with him. The two of them discuss what’s happened, Evan talks about how God knew what was going to happen all along, and how his family was saved from a flood, is now much closer, he doesn’t have all that facial hair anymore, and they own a dog. Life is good .
God smiles, and then says – ‘C’mon Evan, do the dance.’
And Evan dances his silly little dance. And God joins in with him.
And in that moment I had this epiphany. I could SEE God dancing with me over my little victories too.
The God I grew up with didn’t dance. He wasn’t joyful. He was stern, a savior, just. Merciful, yes. But a God I could picture dancing with me in moments of pure celebration? No.
And I realized that I was really making progress on this journey when I could see God dancing with me over our all the little things that make my life OK. A great husband, a new house, 2 really good jobs, my beautiful garden with its ridiculously tall cosmos (seriously – like 15 feet high)….all of that. I could hear Him say, ‘C’mon Christa, do the dance. Life is good’.
And He joined me in it.
2 comments:
I love this blog! I so agree with you, and when we can see God dancing with us, it puts so much into perspective!
One reason I think some people don't dance is because they have to let go of control and let go of their image. You have to let go of a will of your own and surrender to the feeling, or the music. The joy or the music is in charge. You have to work with a partner, and sometimes look like a fool. And the goal is the steps of the dance, not getting to the end.
Getting to the end of a dance can be fulfilling, exhausting, and sometimes even disappointing, and in the end it can leave you longing for more!
You can't see me, but I am dancing in the family room. The dog is barking, and my daughter is saying "stop", but I'm dancing!
Hey, Pretty Rock'n! I really like it. Sounds like I've got a movie to see.
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